Current conducting bar



Feb. 9, 1937. L. c. TURNOCK CURRENT CONDUCTING BAR Filed June 16, 1934 INVENTOR Lmmmce (Tammi Maw Patented Feb. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

My invention relates in general to current conducting bars, and more particularly to a sectionalized cathode bar from which articles to be plated may be suspended into a plating solution.

An object of my invention is the provision of a sectionalized cathode bar having a plurality of individual and insulated conducting portions from which a supporting hook carrying an article, or group of articles, may be individually and sepa-- rately suspended into the plating solution.

Another object of my invention is to provide for selectively and separately measuring the current flowing through a plurality of cathode hooks carrying an article, or a group of articles, being plated.

Another object of my invention is to provide for detecting faulty electrical contact between the cathode bar and the cathode hook carrying an article, or a group of articles, being plated.

A further object of my invention is to provide for selectively and separately connecting the insulated conducting portions of a sectionalized cathode bar with an electrical meter to measure the current flowing through each of the insulated conducting portions.

A further object of my invention is to provide for connecting a plurality of insulated conducting portions of \a sectionalized cathode bar in parallel circuit relationship with the electrical source of supply.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a transfer switch having a front and back contact between which a middle contact swings, the arrangement of the contacts being such that the middle contact engages the contact that it is approaching before it disengages from the contact that it is moving away from.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of my invention may be had by referring to the follow- .ingdescription taken in combination with the accompanying drawing in which like parts are designated by like reference characters, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view of a plating tank with one of the sides thereof removed to illustrate more clearly the invention, and shows in addition thereto a sectionalized cathode bar embodying the features of my invention:

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of my s ectionalized cathode bar shown in combination with a diagrammatic illustration of the control circuits; v

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of one of the transfer switches which is adapted to selectively 1 connect the electrical meter. in relation .with its corresponding sectionalized current conducting portion of the sectionalized cathode bar;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but shows the push button about half way pushed in wherein the middle contact is engaging both the front 5 and back contacts of the transfer switch, and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, but shows the push button completely depressed wherein the middle contact is engaging the back contact of the transfer switch.

With particular reference to Figure 1 of the drawing, the reference character l2 designates a cathode bar embodying the features of my invention. As illustrated, and in accordance with the general practise the cathode bar I2 is disposed longitudinally of the plating tank l0 and arranged between two anode bars Ii which are also positioned longitudinally of the plating tank.

As illustrated best in Figure 2, the sectionalized cathode bar I2 comprises in general an internal 20 supporting pipe 29, an insulated tube 3| which is adapted to closely fit over the supporting pipe 29, a plurality of current conducting portions 32, 33, 34, and 35 which fit over the insulating tube 3|, a plurality of insulated ring spacers 36 for 25 electrically insulating the sectionalized current conducting portions, and an insulated terminal plug 43 mounted on the right hand end of the supporting pipe 29, to which the sectionalized current conducting portions are electrically connected by means of conductors 31, 38, 39, and 40. The supporting pipe 29 is preferably constructed of metal so as to make the sectionalized cathode bar sufllciently strong to carry the weight of the articles being plated. At spaced intervals there are provided openings 30 along the supporting pipe 29 so that therinternal conductors 31, 38, 39, and. 49 may be connected to the right hand end of each of the sectionalized current conducting portions 32, 33, 34, and 35. As illustrated, the left hand end of the supporting pipe 29 is threaded to receive an internally threaded cap 52 having an internal shoulder for securing the insulated plug 42 against the end of the supporting pipe 29. In this manner the end of the supporting pipe 29 is securely sealed, which prevents anyforeign matter from entering the inside of the supporting pipe 29. The right hand end of the supporting 'pipe 29 is similarly threaded to receive an internally threaded cap 53, which is of the same construc- 50 tion and dimensions as the internally threaded cap 52 mounted on the left hand end of the supporting pipe 29. To provide electrical terminals forthe conductors that lead to the sectionalized current conducting portions, there is employed an 55 insulated terminal plug 43, which is securely held against the right hand end of the supporting pipe 29. This construction also provides for sealing the right hand end of the supporting pipe 29 to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the sectionalized cathode bar l2.

In assembling my cathode bar I2 the threaded cap 52 and the insulated plug 42 are first mounted upon the left hand end of the supporting pipe 29. Then the insulated ring 64 is inserted over the supporting pipe 29 and disposed adjacent to the threaded cap 52. After this, the insulated tube 3| is slipped over the supporting pipe 29, at the same time making the openings of the insulated tube 3| register with the openings 30 of the supporting pipe 29. At this time the sectionalized current conducting portion 32 is slipped over the insulated tube 3|, after which the conductor 31 maybe soldered or otherwise connected to the sectionalized current conducting portion 32. After this, the insulated ring spacer 36 is inserted over the insulated tube 3| and jammed against the right hand end of the sectionalized current conducting portion 32. The remaining sectionalized current conducting portions 33, 34, and 35 are mounted in the same manner as the mounting of the sectionalized current conducting por tion 32 just previously described. After all of the sectionalized current conducting portions are properly assembled there is an insulated ring 65 inserted over the supporting pipe 29 against which the threaded cap 53 is jammed. In this construction the sectionalized current conducting portions 32, 33, 34, and 35 and the insulated ring spacer 36 are firmly compressed together longitudinally of their length by tightly screwing the threaded caps 52 and 53 upon the supporting pipe 29. In this manner the entire assembly of the sectionalized cathode bar is rigidly constructed so as to be able to stand a great deal of hard usage. As illustrated best in Figure 2, the insulated ring spacers 36 are stepped so as to provide a good seal inorder to prevent any foreign matter creeping into the inside of the supporting pipe 29 through the openings 30. Also, the insulated ring spacers 36 are somewhat raised above the surface of the sectionalized current conducting portions 32, 33, 34, and 35 so as to preserve the identity of each of the sectionalized current conducting portions. This prevents the operator from mounting the cathode hooks l3 over the junction of the sectionalized current conduction portions.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the sectionalized current conducting portions 32, 33, 34, and 35 are respectively connected to the transfer switches 29, 2|, 22, and 23. These transfer switches are adapted in the positions shown in Figure 2, to connect the sectionalized current conducting portions 32, 33, 34, and 35 in parallel circuit relation with the generator 21.

With reference to Figure 3, which shows an enlarged view of one of the transfer switches, it is noted that the transfer switch includes in general a back contact 60, a front contact BI and a middle contact 59 actuated by the depressing of the push button plunger 51, which is normally biased to A the right by means of a coil spring 53. The front contact is constructed of a' resilient strip of material and is mounted directly on the panel board l1. The back contact 60 is likewise constructed of a resilient strip of material and is mounted on a block 62, which is in turn connected to the panel l1. The middle contact 59 is connected at its lower end directly to the panel 11, and has an intermediate portion connected to the left hand end of the push button plunger 51 by means of a screw 63, or some other suitable means. The contacts of the transfer switch are shown in their normal positions in Figures 2 and 3. In this position the back contact BI is engaged by the middle contact 59 and electrically connects the sectionalized current conducting portions 32, 33, 34, and 35 in circuit relation with the rheostat 25 and the generator 21. The circuit for connecting the sectionalized current conducting portion 32 in circuit relation with the rheostat 25 and the generator 21 may be traced through conductors 31 and 44, the transfer switch 20, a conductor 49, the rheostat 25, a conductor 26, the generator 21 and a conductor 28, the anodes II, the hook l4, the anode slab l6, through the plating bath, the article l5 being plated which is hidden behind the end of the tank, and the cathode hook l3, which is mounted on the right hand end of the plating tank Ill. The circuits for connecting the sectionalized current conducting portions 33, 34, and 35 with the rheostat 25 and the generator 21 may be traced in a similar manner to the circuit just traced with respect to the sectionalized current conducting portion 32 in that the circuits respectively pass through the transfer switches 21, 22, and 23.

In order to read the current flow from each of the sectionalized current conducting portions 32, 33, 34, and 35 it is only necessary for the operator to press the push button plunger of the transfer switches. This connects the ammeter I8 in series with the generator 21. Thus, the current which flows through the sectionalized current conducting portion 32 and the transfer switch 29, now flows upon leaving the transfer switch 20 through conductors 48 and 50, the ammeter It, a conductor 5! and the rheostat 25, and a conductor 26 to the generator 21. The current that flows through the sectionalized current conduct ing portions 33, 34, and 35 and their corresponding transfer switches 2|, 22, and 23 likewise flows through the ammeter l8 when the transfer switches are depressed. Therefore, it is possible for the operator upon pressing the push button of the selected transfer switch to determine the current flowing through the article being plated which is suspended from the selected sectionalizedcurrent conducting portion. In transferring the ammeter I 8 in series with the generator 21 it is desirable to do this without causing arcing of the contacts, which in actual practise carry a relatively large amount of curgent. To make this transfer without arcing the middle contact 59 and the back contact 69, and the front contact Bl, are so constructed of resilient material that the middle contact 59 engages the back contact 69 before it disengages from the front contact 6|. This is shown in Figure 4. When the push button plunger 51 is completely depressed the middle contact 59 engages only the back contact v6|). This is shown in Figure 5. Upon the releasing of the push button plunger 51 the middle contact 59 engages the front contact 8| before it disengages from .the back contact 69. Accordingly, there is no interruption of the current flow.

By means of my invention it is possible at any instant during the plating operation to determine quickly and effectively the current flowing through, or the rate at which the plating is taking place upon, the article or articles being plated that are suspended by each individual cathode hook from the individual sectionalized current conducting portions. The applicant-finds that in practise the contact resistance between the cathode hook and the cathode bar is a variable quantity, thereby causing a variation in the amount of plate received by articles of the same surface area' which remain in the plating tank for the same period of time. 'Heretoi'ore, in cases where the operator suspected a poor electrical contact between the engaging surfaces of a cathode hook and a cathode bar the practise has been for the'operator to lift the hook from the cathode plating bar and clean both the engaging surfaces of the cathode hook and the cathode bar with sandpaper, or some other equivalent method. However, this method ofiered no positive assurance to the operator that he had minimized the contact resistance because when the cathode hook is resuspended on the cathode bar after the cleaning operation has taken place there is no way to determine actually the contact resistance. Thus, there is a possibility that the condition causing the high contact resistance has not been removed for the reason that in some cases the operator is unable to discern the condition causing the high resistance by observation. On the other hand, by means of myJnvention it is possible for the operator without removing the cathode hook from the cathode bar to determine whether or not the contact resistance between the cathode hook and the individual sectionalized current conducting portions of the cathode bar is of a low value by observing the current flowing through the ammeter by depressing the proper transfer switch. Thus, if the operator observes that the current flowing through a certain cathode hook in the plating tank is less than the current flowing through other cathode hooks in the plating tank carrying articles of equal plating area, it is an indication to the operator that the low current values are caused by a high contact resistance between the respective cathode hooks and their corresponding sectionalized current conducting portions of the cathode bar. Therefore, when the operator, finds that there is a high contact resistance between one or more of the cathode hooks and the individual sectionalized current conducting portions of the cathode bar, he maytake the necessary steps to remove the high contact resistance and thus reduce the time required to give the proper plating upon the articles being plated.

In practise, my sectionalized cathode bar may comprise more or less than the four sections as illustrated, and the internal wires 31, 3B, 39, and 40 may be brought out through suitable openings in the insulated terminal plug 43 and soldered respectively to the conductors 44,- 45, 46, and 41 without the employment of terminal members.

The supporting pipe 29 may likewise be eliminated, in which event the insulated tube 3i is made strong enough to carry the weight of the articles suspended upon thesectionalized cathode bar.

The panel l7, whichcarries the meter iii, the

I claim as my invention:

1. A sectionalized supporting member comprising, in combination, a plurality of hollow current conducting members, means for supporting the said current conducting members in substantially straight alignment, means for securing the current conducting members against endwise movement upon the supporting means, means for insulating the said current conducting members from each other, and a plurality of conductors each respectively connected to the said current conducting members, said conductors being arranged internally of the hollow current conducting members.

2. A sectionalized supporting member comprising, in combination, a hollow supporting member, a plurality of current conducting menibers mounted on the supporting member, means for insulating the current conducting members from each other, a header for one end of the hollow supporting member, a plurality of terminal members carried by the header, and a plurality of conductors arranged internally of the hollow supporting member, each respectively interconnecting a hollow member to a terminal member.

3. A sectionalized bus bar adapted to be employed to support a plurality of plating hooks in relation to a plating bath comprising, in combination, a hollow and longitudinal SuDDQrting member adapted to be supported above the plating bath, a plurality of sectionalized current conducting members mounted in longitudinal spaced relation and in substantially straight alignment on the hollow supporting member, means for insulating the current conducting members from each other, the arrangement of the hollow supporting member, the current conducting members, and the insulating means being such that the plurality of hooks may be suspended from the sectionalized bus bar in the same bath and such that part of the said plurality of hooks are insulated from the remaining part of the said plurality of hooks, and a plurality of conductors each respectively connected to the current conducting members, said conductorsbeing arranged internally of the hollow member.

4. A sectionalized bus bar adapted to be employed to support a plurality of plating hooks in relation to a plating bath comprising, in combination, a. hollow and longitudinal supporting member adapted to be supported above the plating bath, a plurality of. sectionalized current conducting members mounted in longitudinal spaced relation and in substantially straight al gnment on the hollow supporting member, means for inof the hollow supporting members, the current conducting members, and the insulating means being such that the plurality of hooks may be suspended from the sectionalized bus bar in the I same bath and such that part of the said phi-- rality of hooks are insulated from the remaining part of the said plurality of hooks, and a plurality of conductors each respectively connected to the current conducting members, said conductors being arranged internally of the hollow member.

5. A sectionalized bus bar adapted to be employed to support a plurality of hooks in relation to a plating bath comprising, in combination, a hollow and longitudinal supporting member adapted to be supported above the plating bath, a hollow and longitudinal insulating member adapted to be supported externally of and around the said supporting member, a plurality of hollow current conducting members mounted externally of and around the said insulating members, insulating rings mounted around the insulating member and between adjacent ends of the current conducting members, a plurality of conductors each respectively connected to the current conducting members, said conductors being arranged internally of the hollow supporting member.

6. The combination of a sectionalized conducting bar from which articles may be suspended while being plated and an electrical meter to read the electric condition of the articles being plated, in combination, a hollow and longitudinal supporting member adapted to be supported above the plating bath, a plurality of sectionalized current conducting members mounted in longitudinal spaced relation and in substantially straight alignment on the hollow supporting member, means for insulating the current conducting members from each other, the arrangement of the hollow supporting member, the current conducting members, and the insulating means being such that the plurality of hooks may be suspended from the sectionalized bus bar in the same bath and such that part of the said plurality of hooks are insulated from the remaining part of the said plurality of hooks, and a plurality of conductors each respectively connected to the current conducting members, said conductors being arranged internally of the hollow member, an electric meter, and means including switches for separately connecting the conductors in circuit relation with the electric meter.

7. A sectionalized bus bar adapted to be employed to support a plurality of plating hooks in relation to a plating bath comprising, in combination, a longitudinal supporting member adapted to be supported above the plating bath, a plurality of sectionalized current conducting members mounted in longitudinal spaced relation and in substantially longitudinal alignment on the supporting member, the said plurality of sectionalized current conducting members being arranged with a distance between their ends and electrically insulated from each other, means for securing the currentconducting members against endwise movement upon the supporting member,

the arrangement of the longitudinal supporting member and the current conducting members being such that a plurality of books may be suspended from the sectionalized bus bar in the same bath and such that part of the said plurality of hooks are insulated from the remaining part of the said plurality of hooks.

8. A sectionalized bus bar adapted to be employed to support a plurality of plating hooks in relation to a plating bath comprising, in combination a longitudinal supporting member adapted to be supported above the plating bath, a plurality of sectionalized current conducting members mounted in longitudinal spaced relation and in substantially longitudinal alignment on the supportingmember, the said plurality of sectionalized current conducting members being arranged with a distance between their ends and electrically insulated from each other, means for securing the current conducting members against endwise movement upon the supporting member, a plurality of terminal members carried by the supporting member, and a plurality oif conductors for respectively interconnecting the terminal members and the current conducting members, the arrangement of the longitudinal supporting member and the current conducting members being such that a plurality of hooks may be suspended from the sectionalized bus bar in the same bath and such that part of the said plurality of hooks are insulated from the remaining part of the said plurality of hooks.

9. A sectionalized bus bar adapted to be employed to support a plurality of plating hooks in relation to a plating bath comprising, in combination, a longitudinal supporting member adapted to be supported above the plating bath, a plurality of sectionalized current conducting members mounted in longitudinal spaced relation and in substantially longitudinal alignment on the supporting member, the said plurality of sectionalized current conducting members being arranged with a distance between their ends and electrically insulated from each other, means for securing the current conducting members against endwise movement upon the supporting member, a plurality of conductors arranged along the supporting member and each respectively connected to the current conducting members, the arrangement of the longitudinal supporting member and the current conducting members being such that a plurality of hooks may be suspended from the sectionalized bus bar in the same bath and such that part of the said plurality of hooks are insulated from the remaining part of the said plurality of books.

10. The combination of a sectionalized conducting bar from which articles may be suspended while being plated and an electrical meter to read the electrical condition of the articles being plated, in combination, a longitudinal supporting member adapted to be supported above the plating bath,'a plurality of sectionalized current conducting members mounted in longitudinal spaced relation and in substantially longitudinal alignment on the supporting member, the said plurality of sectionalized current conducting members being arranged with a distance between their ends and electrically insulated from each other, means for securing the current conducting members against endwise movement upon the supporting member, the arrangement of the longitudinal supporting member and the current conducting members being such that a plurality of hooks may be suspended from the sectionalized bus bar in the same bath and such that part of the said plurality of hooks are insulated from the remaining part of thesaid plurality of hooks, an electricalmeter, and means including a plurality of conductorsfor connecting each of the current conducting members in circuit relation with the electrical meter.

11. The combination of a sectionalized conducting bar from which articles may be suspended while being plated and an electrical meter' to read the electrical condition of the articles being plated, in combination, a longitudinal supporting member adapted to be supported above the plating bath, a plurality of sectionalized current conducting-"members mounted in longitudinal spaced relation and in substantially longitudinal alignment on the supporting member, the said plurality of sectionalized current conducting members being arranged with a distance between their ends and electrically insulated from each other,

means for securing the current conducting members against endwise movement upon the supporting member, the arrangement ofthe longitudinal supporting member and the current conducting members being such that a plurality of hooks may be suspended from the sectionalized; bus bar in the same bath and such that part of the said plurality of hooks are insulated from the remaining part of the said plurality of hooks, an electrical meter, and means including a plurality of conductors and switches for separately connecting each of the current conducting members in circuit relation with the electrical meter.

12. A bus bar adapted to be employed to support a plurality of plating hooks in relation to a plating bath comprising, in combination, a longitudinal supporting member adapted to be supported above the plating bath, a plurality of current conducting members mounted longitudinalsupporting member and the current conducting members being such that a plurality of hooks may be suspended from the bus bar in the same bath and such that part of the said plurality of hooks are insulated from the remaining part of the said plurality oi. hooks.

13. The combination of a bus bar from which articles may be suspended while being plated and an electrical meter to read the electrical condition of the articles being plated, in combination, a longitudinal supporting member adapted to be supported above the plating bath, a plurality of current conducting members mounted longitudinally of the supporting member, the 'said plurality of current conducting members being electrically insulated from each other, means for securing the current conducting members to the supporting member, the arrangement of the longitudinal supporting member and the current conducting members being such that a plurality of hooks may be suspended from the bus bar in the same bath and such that part of the said plurality of hooks are insulated from the remaining part of the said plurality of hooks, an electrical meter, and means including a plurality of conductors for connecting each of the current conducting members in circuit relation with the electrical meter.

LAWRENCE C. TURNOCK. 

